Texas state Sen. Uresti arrested, turns himself in to FBI

Updated 9:25 pm, Wednesday, May 17, 2017

State Sen. Carlos Uresti speaks after his hearing at the federal courthouse on Wed., May 17, following his indictment relating to a fraudulent scheme at now-defunct oil-field services company FourWinds Logistics. Billy Calzada /Express-News

Media: gcalzada@express-news.net / mysanantonio.com

State Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, sat sullen and in handcuffs at a U.S. court hearing after turning himself in to the FBI about 8 a.m. Wednesday — the morning after he was indicted by a federal grand jury on 13 criminal charges in two separate cases.

The hearing was short, just 20 minutes. But whatever the outcome, the arrest will leave a permanent scar on Uresti’s long record as a Texas lawmaker.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee, for which he’s vice chairman, was holding a meeting right about the time of Uresti’s arrest. His absence from the day’s meeting of the full Senate was excused with the traditional wording that he was attending to “matters of personal business” — in this case, appearing at the courthouse in shackles to answer the fraud and bribery charges against him.

Photo: Guillermo Contreras / San Antonio Express-News

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State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the federal court with his wife and legal team on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, after he appeared to answer to charges related to an alleged Ponzi scheme and a separate bribery case.

State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the federal court with his wife and legal team on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, after he appeared to answer to charges related to an alleged Ponzi scheme and a separate bribery case.

Photo: Guillermo Contreras / San Antonio Express-News

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State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the federal court with his wife and legal team on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, after he appeared to answer to charges related to an alleged Ponzi scheme and a separate bribery case.

State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the federal court with his wife and legal team on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, after he appeared to answer to charges related to an alleged Ponzi scheme and a separate bribery case.

Photo: Guillermo Contreras / San Antonio Express-News

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State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the federal court with his wife and legal team on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, after he appeared to answer to charges related to an alleged Ponzi scheme and a separate bribery case.

State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the federal court with his wife and legal team on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, after he appeared to answer to charges related to an alleged Ponzi scheme and a separate bribery case.

Photo: Guillermo Contreras / San Antonio Express-News

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State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the federal court with his wife and legal team on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, after he appeared to answer to charges related to an alleged Ponzi scheme and a separate bribery case.

State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the federal court with his wife and legal team on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, after he appeared to answer to charges related to an alleged Ponzi scheme and a separate bribery case.

Photo: Guillermo Contreras / San Antonio Express-News

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State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the federal court with his wife and legal team on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, after he appeared to answer to charges related to an alleged Ponzi scheme and a separate bribery case.

State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the federal court with his wife and legal team on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, after he appeared to answer to charges related to an alleged Ponzi scheme and a separate bribery case.

Photo: Guillermo Contreras / San Antonio Express-News

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Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, is escorted by federal marshals to the Federal Courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Uresti was indicted Tuesday on 13 different charges involving bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy and other charges in his involvement in the bankrupt frac-sand company, Four Winds Logistics. He is facing more than 200 years in prison if convicted on all charges. less

Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, is escorted by federal marshals to the Federal Courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Uresti was indicted Tuesday on 13 different charges involving bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy and other charges in his involvement in the bankrupt frac-sand company, Four Winds Logistics. He is facing more than 200 years in prison if convicted on all charges. less

Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, is escorted by federal marshals to the Federal Courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Uresti was indicted Tuesday on 13 different charges involving bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy and other charges in his involvement in the bankrupt frac-sand company, Four Winds Logistics. He is facing more than 200 years in prison if convicted on all charges. less

Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, is escorted by federal marshals to the Federal Courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Uresti was indicted Tuesday on 13 different charges involving bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy and other charges in his involvement in the bankrupt frac-sand company, Four Winds Logistics. He is facing more than 200 years in prison if convicted on all charges. less

Gary Cain is led by FBI agents out of the Federal Courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Cain was indicted along with Sen. Carlos Uresti in a ponzu scheme involving the bankrupt frac-sand company, Four Winds Logistics. less

Gary Cain is led by FBI agents out of the Federal Courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Cain was indicted along with Sen. Carlos Uresti in a ponzu scheme involving the bankrupt frac-sand company, Four Winds ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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Gary Cain, left, former Four-Winds consultant, stands with his lawyer, Chad Muller, after Cain appeared in court Wednesday, May 17, 2017, to answer to charges related to an alleged Ponzi scheme.

Gary Cain, left, former Four-Winds consultant, stands with his lawyer, Chad Muller, after Cain appeared in court Wednesday, May 17, 2017, to answer to charges related to an alleged Ponzi scheme.

Photo: Guillermo Contreras / San Antonio Express-News

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Stan Bates is escorted by federal marshals to the Federal Courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Stan Bates is escorted by federal marshals to the Federal Courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, is escorted by federal marshals to the Federal Courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Uresti was indicted Tuesday on 13 different charges involving bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy and other charges in his involvement in the bankrupt frac-sand company, Four Winds Logistics. He is facing more than 200 years in prison if convicted on all charges. less

Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, is escorted by federal marshals to the Federal Courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Uresti was indicted Tuesday on 13 different charges involving bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy and other charges in his involvement in the bankrupt frac-sand company, Four Winds Logistics. He is facing more than 200 years in prison if convicted on all charges. less

1. Carlos Uresti is the target of a grand jury investigation weighing possible public corruption charges related to his various roles at FourWinds, a company that traded frac sand used in fracking to extract oil and gas from shale rock, according to people familiar with the probe. less

1. Carlos Uresti is the target of a grand jury investigation weighing possible public corruption charges related to his various roles at FourWinds, a company that traded frac sand used in fracking to extract ... more

Photo: Robin Jerstad / San Antonio Express-News

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2. Uresti provided legal services for FourWinds and served as its outside general counsel for four or five months in 2014.

He received FourWinds shares, as well as a $40,000 loans from the company that he initially failed to disclose in his state financial disclosures, according to previous reports. less

2. Uresti provided legal services for FourWinds and served as its outside general counsel for four or five months in 2014.

He received FourWinds shares, as well as a $40,000 loans from the company that he ... more

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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3. Uresti also was paid a $27,000 commission on Harlingen investor Denise Cantu’s $900,000 investment in a joint venture with FourWinds, according to previous reports.

3. Uresti also was paid a $27,000 commission on Harlingen investor Denise Cantu’s $900,000 investment in a joint venture with FourWinds, according to previous reports.

Photo: Juanito M Garza /San Antonio Express-News

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4. Uresti, a San Antonio Democrat, disclosed owning between 100 and 499 shares of FourWinds on his personal financial statement filed with the Texas Ethics Commission, but not his other financial dealings with FourWinds or Cantu’s joint venture. less

4. Uresti, a San Antonio Democrat, disclosed owning between 100 and 499 shares of FourWinds on his personal financial statement filed with the Texas Ethics Commission, but not his other financial dealings with ... more

6. Investors have accused FourWinds CEO Stan Bates of misspending their money on personal expenses, expensive gifts, exotic car rentals and lavish vacations. Bates, who has not been charged, has disputed the allegations. Bates was forced into personal bankruptcy proceedings by some of his creditors in October 2015. less

6. Investors have accused FourWinds CEO Stan Bates of misspending their money on personal expenses, expensive gifts, exotic car rentals and lavish vacations. Bates, who has not been charged, has disputed the ... more

Photo: John Davenport /San Antonio Express-News

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7. In late November, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick quietly removed Uresti from the Legislative Budget Board — less than one year after being appointed by Patrick and before Uresti attended even one meeting. In a statement, Uresti said he believes his removal was due to him being the only Democrat on the committee at a time when Republican lawmakers are bracing for a penny-pinching session. The removal came after Uresti's link to the FourWinds scandal. less

7. In late November, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick quietly removed Uresti from the Legislative Budget Board — less than one year after being appointed by Patrick and before Uresti attended even one meeting. In a ... more

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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Federal marshals lead Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti, 53, from the Federal Building to the Federal Courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. He appeared in court after being indicted Tuesday on 13 federal counts for bribery and fraud in two separate cases. less

Federal marshals lead Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti, 53, from the Federal Building to the Federal Courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. He appeared in court after being indicted Tuesday on 13 federal counts for ... more

Photo: JERRY LARA /San Antonio Express-News

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Senator Carlos Uresti, is helped out of a van on his way to the San Antonio federal courthouse following his arrest after he turned himself over to the FBI on Wednesday.

Senator Carlos Uresti, is helped out of a van on his way to the San Antonio federal courthouse following his arrest after he turned himself over to the FBI on Wednesday.

Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

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Senator Carlos Uresti, right, walks out of the Federal Courthouse with his wife Lleanna Uresti, left, after being released following his arrest by the FBI on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Senator Carlos Uresti, right, walks out of the Federal Courthouse with his wife Lleanna Uresti, left, after being released following his arrest by the FBI on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

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Senator Carlos Uresti, left, speaks to the media with his lawyer Mikal Watts, right, at the Federal Courthouse, following his arrest by the FBI on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Senator Carlos Uresti, left, speaks to the media with his lawyer Mikal Watts, right, at the Federal Courthouse, following his arrest by the FBI on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

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Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the federal courthouse after an initial hearing on his indictment on 13 federal counts of fraud and bribery in two separate cases.

Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the federal courthouse after an initial hearing on his indictment on 13 federal counts of fraud and bribery in two separate cases.

Photo: JERRY LARA /San Antonio Express-News

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Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti talks with media outside the federal courthouse in San Antonio, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. He said he plans to plead not guilty to 13 federal counts in two separate indictments. With Uresti is his wife, Lleanna and attorneys, Mikal Watts, right, and Jorge Aristotelidis. less

Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti talks with media outside the federal courthouse in San Antonio, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. He said he plans to plead not guilty to 13 federal counts in two separate indictments. ... more

Photo: JERRY LARA /San Antonio Express-News

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Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti talks with media outside the federal courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. He said he was planned to fight the 13 federal counts against him involving a Ponzi scheme with the bankrupt frac sand company, FourWinds. With Uresti is his wife, Lleanna and attorney Mikal Watts. less

Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti talks with media outside the federal courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. He said he was planned to fight the 13 federal counts against him involving a Ponzi scheme with the ... more

Photo: JERRY LARA /San Antonio Express-News

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Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti talks with media outside the federal courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. With Uresti is his wife, Lleanna and attorney, Jorge Aristotelidis.

Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti talks with media outside the federal courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. With Uresti is his wife, Lleanna and attorney, Jorge Aristotelidis.

Photo: JERRY LARA /San Antonio Express-News

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Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti talks with media outside the Federal Courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. With Uresti is his wife, Lleanna and attorney, Jorge Aristotelidis, right, and Mikal Watts.

Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti talks with media outside the Federal Courthouse, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. With Uresti is his wife, Lleanna and attorney, Jorge Aristotelidis, right, and Mikal Watts.

Photo: JERRY LARA /San Antonio Express-News

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Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the Federal Courthouse after appearing in court Wednesday, May 17, 2017. With Uresti are his wife, Lleanna and attorney Mikal Watts.

Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the Federal Courthouse after appearing in court Wednesday, May 17, 2017. With Uresti are his wife, Lleanna and attorney Mikal Watts.

Photo: JERRY LARA /San Antonio Express-News

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Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the Federal Courthouse on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. He’s facing 13 different charges of fraud and bribery in two separate indictments. With Uresti are his wife, Lleanna and attorneys Mikal Watts, right and Jorge Aristotelidis. less

Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the Federal Courthouse on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. He’s facing 13 different charges of fraud and bribery in two separate indictments. With Uresti are his wife, Lleanna ... more

Photo: JERRY LARA /San Antonio Express-News

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Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the Federal Courthouse on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. With Uresti are his wife, Lleanna and attorney Mikal Watts.

Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti leaves the Federal Courthouse on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. With Uresti are his wife, Lleanna and attorney Mikal Watts.

Photo: JERRY LARA /San Antonio Express-News

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Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti, 53, leaves the Federal Courthouse with his wife Lleanna, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Federal prosecutors describe the now-bankrupt company Uresti was involved in, FourWinds, as a Ponzi scheme. Co-defendants in the FourWinds indictment are company CEO Stanley P. Bates, 45 and company consultant Gary L. Cain, 60. less

Texas State Sen. Carlos Uresti, 53, leaves the Federal Courthouse with his wife Lleanna, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Federal prosecutors describe the now-bankrupt company Uresti was involved in, FourWinds, as a ... more

Former FourWinds company consultant Gary L. Cain, 60, is led out of the Federal Courthouse to the Federal Building, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Cain is a co-defendant in the FourWind frac sand company indictment with State Sen. Carlos Uresti, 53, and company CEO Stanley P. Bates, 45. They are charged with a total of 22 federal counts. Prosecutors called the company a Ponzi scheme. less

Former FourWinds company consultant Gary L. Cain, 60, is led out of the Federal Courthouse to the Federal Building, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Cain is a co-defendant in the FourWind frac sand company indictment ... more

Photo: JERRY LARA /San Antonio Express-News

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Senator Carlos Uresti, right, walks out of the Federal Courthouse with his wife Lleanna Uresti, left, following his arrest by the FBI on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Senator Carlos Uresti, right, walks out of the Federal Courthouse with his wife Lleanna Uresti, left, following his arrest by the FBI on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

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Senator Carlos Uresti, right, walks out of the Federal Courthouse with his wife Lleanna Uresti, left, and lawyers Mikal Watts, right, and Jorge Aristotelidis, in back, following his arrest by the FBI on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. less

Senator Carlos Uresti, right, walks out of the Federal Courthouse with his wife Lleanna Uresti, left, and lawyers Mikal Watts, right, and Jorge Aristotelidis, in back, following his arrest by the FBI on ... more

Senator Carlos Uresti, right, walks away from the Federal Courthouse with his wife Lleanna Uresti, following his arrest by the FBI on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Senator Carlos Uresti, right, walks away from the Federal Courthouse with his wife Lleanna Uresti, following his arrest by the FBI on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

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State Sen. Carlos Uresti, with his wife Lleanna, speaks to the media after appearing in court Wednesday. His legal team includes lawyer Mikal Watts, right.

State Sen. Carlos Uresti, with his wife Lleanna, speaks to the media after appearing in court Wednesday. His legal team includes lawyer Mikal Watts, right.

Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

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Gary Cain, left, walks with his lawyer Chad Muller as they leave the federal courthouse following his arrest earlier in the day by the FBI on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Senator Carlos Uresti and Stan Bates were also arrested in the case. less

Gary Cain, left, walks with his lawyer Chad Muller as they leave the federal courthouse following his arrest earlier in the day by the FBI on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Senator Carlos Uresti and Stan Bates were ... more

Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

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Gary Cain leaves the federal courthouse following his arrest by the FBI on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Senator Carlos Uresti and Stan Bates were also arrested in the case.

Gary Cain leaves the federal courthouse following his arrest by the FBI on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Senator Carlos Uresti and Stan Bates were also arrested in the case.

Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

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Stan Bates, left to right, Senator Carlos Uresti and Gary Cain arrive at the federal courthouse in San Antonio, Texas on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Stan Bates, left to right, Senator Carlos Uresti and Gary Cain arrive at the federal courthouse in San Antonio, Texas on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

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Former FourWinds Logistics CEO Stan Bates, right, walks with his court-appointed lawyer, Karl A. Basile, as they leave the San Antonio federal courthouse Wednesday. Basile has disputed the charges against Bates. less

Former FourWinds Logistics CEO Stan Bates, right, walks with his court-appointed lawyer, Karl A. Basile, as they leave the San Antonio federal courthouse Wednesday. Basile has disputed the charges against ... more

Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

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Former FourWinds Logistics CEO Stan Bates arrives at the federal courthouse in San Antonio on Wednesday.

Former FourWinds Logistics CEO Stan Bates arrives at the federal courthouse in San Antonio on Wednesday.

Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

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Former FourWinds Logistics CEO Stan Bates arrives at the federal courthouse in San Antonio Tx on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Former FourWinds Logistics CEO Stan Bates arrives at the federal courthouse in San Antonio Tx on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

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A handcuffed Stan Bates, ex-CEO of FourWinds Logistics, makes his way into the San Antonio federal courthouse on Wednesday.

A handcuffed Stan Bates, ex-CEO of FourWinds Logistics, makes his way into the San Antonio federal courthouse on Wednesday.

Photo: Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

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Carlos Uresti Jr., talks talks with FBI agents as they raid the law office of his father, State Sen. Carlos Uresti, in February.

Carlos Uresti Jr., talks talks with FBI agents as they raid the law office of his father, State Sen. Carlos Uresti, in February.

Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

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FBI agents carry boxes of evidence to a government truck a raid on the law office of state Sen. Carlos Uresti in San Antonio in February.

FBI agents carry boxes of evidence to a government truck a raid on the law office of state Sen. Carlos Uresti in San Antonio in February.

Photo: Bob Owen /San Antonio Express-News

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Texas state Sen. Uresti arrested, turns himself in to FBI

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It was the first time Uresti, an attorney, was sitting on the defense side in his own criminal case.

All three were arrested and in handcuffs at the hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad in San Antonio. The three men were escorted by federal marshals to the courthouse in handcuffs and leg irons.

State Sen. Carlos Uresti enters the federal courthouse on Wednesday

Media: gcalzada@express-news.net / mysanantonio.com

Bemporad ordered all three to turn in their passports, restricted travel outside the U.S. and advised the men not to speak about their case to avoid perjuring themselves. They were released with unsecured bonds set at $50,000 apiece.

Uresti also was ordered to refrain from “excessive use of alcohol.”

They are facing a combined 22 felony counts that each carry a maximum of between 10 years and 20 years in prison and between $250,000 to $5 million in fines if found guilty. The U.S. also is demanding forfeiture of any ill-gotten gains from all three. They’re scheduled to appear in court again May 31 when they’re expected to formally plead not guilty.

Uresti, 53, disputed fraud charges relating to his involvement in bankrupt San Antonio oil-field services company FourWinds Logistics and public corruption in Reeves County. He could face more than 200 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

“Although my lawyers have asked me not to talk to the press, I think it’s very important that I tell the people that I am innocent of the charges. I look forward to my day in court when all the facts come out and the truth and not just what's been written in the press,” Uresti told reporters outside the courthouse after the hearing. He appeared shaken as he left with his wife. “In the meantime, I have a job to do. I am headed back to the Capitol today to do what I was elected to do by the voters, and that's to fight.”

Uresti attended meetings of the Education, Health and Human Services and Veteran Affairs committees, voting on bills in all three, including legislation he sponsored.

“As I said this morning, I’m back to work ... I was in three committees voting out bills for foster kids, for education, for veterans,” he said after leaving the last committee hearing. “So, back to work.”

His indictment didn’t come as a surprise in the Texas Capitol.

“I think with the type of coverage and the reporting by newspapers, it was pretty obvious that at some point, more than likely Sen. Uresti would get indicted,” said Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen.

His co-defendant, former FourWinds CEO Bates, denied any wrongdoing.

“I haven’t gotten all of the discovery to review it all. At this time, we are denying all the charges,” said Karl Basile, a court-appointed lawyer for Bates.

Chad Muller, Cain’s lawyer, said: “We have no comment at this time. We will address the charges in the courtroom.”

Cain was a consultant for FourWinds.

The San Antonio Express-News reported in an in-depth investigation in August that Uresti provided legal services and served as outside general counsel for FourWinds for four or five months in 2014.

He also was a 1 percent owner in FourWinds, which purportedly traded sand used in fracking to extract oil and gas from shale rock. The company went bust in 2015.

The indictment describes the trio and three other FourWinds officials who already have pleaded guilty as “conspirators” who misused investors’ funds to “enrich themselves and others.” Prosecutors called FourWinds a Ponzi scheme, paying earlier investors with proceeds from more recent investors.

FourWinds entered bankruptcy in 2015 with more than $14 million in debts. Some investors accused Bates of misspending their money on personal expenses, expensive gifts, exotic car rentals and a profligate lifestyle. Bates has disputed the allegations.

Uresti and Lubbock businessman Vernon C. Farthing III are charged in a second indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Farthing allegedly paid Uresti $10,000 a month as a “consultant” for about 10 years, ending in September.

Half of that amount allegedly went to a Reeves County Judge Jimmy Galindo for his support and vote to award the contract to Farthing's company. Uresti acted as the “conduit,” passing the money between Farthing and Galindo, the indictment says. The document identifies Galindo as a co-conspirator.

Farthing, 44, is expected to make an initial court appearance today.

“He is not guilty of those offenses,” said San Antonio lawyer Cynthia Orr, who represents Farthing. “He looks forward to defending against those charges in court and being vindicated, ultimately.”

Galindo couldn’t immediately be reached.

Hinojosa said he was surprised by the timing of the indictment — before the Legislature adjourns its regular session on May 29. He said Uresti was upset after the charges were unsealed Tuesday.

“Obviously he’s very much concerned and devastated,” said Hinojosa, adding that he spoke with Uresti when the San Antonio lawmaker was on his way back home Tuesday night.

Hinojosa said Uresti might have mentioned FourWinds to him, but he wasn’t asked to invest in the company. “He had a whole bunch of brochures and information but I don’t have that kind of money, No. 1,” Hinojosa said.

Rep. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, said Uresti might not be able to effectively represent his constituents with “this shroud over him.”

“I’ve read the full indictment and they’re very serious charges,” Gutierrez said. “I don’t think this is a judgment on the Democratic Party, I think people sometimes fall prey to their devices, and it’s unfortunate that the Senator has allowed himself to go down this path.”

Gutierrez said Uresti was innocent until proven guilty, but the facts outlined in the indictments raised “significant concern for his effectiveness of his ability to lead” District 19 voters and his effectiveness in the Senate.

“If you read the full indictments, full facts, that are contained in there that the grand jury saw, it raises a significant cause for concern,” he said, adding that Uresti’s pension and other state benefits may be at risk if he is convicted.

Uresti is represented by Jorge Aristotelidis and nationally renowned attorney Mikal Watts, who was accused by U.S. prosecutors of making up fake clients to sue BP in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill. Watts was eventually charged, tried and acquitted of all 66 charges he faced in the case.